Russia launched a significant strike against Ukraine on Monday, firing over 200 missiles and drones at civilian and energy targets across the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the attack, stating that more than 100 different types of missiles and 100 Iranian-supplied Shahed drones were used in the assault.
Zelenskyy called on Western allies to drop restrictions on long-range defensive strikes to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia's aerial attacks. The targets hit included regions in western Ukraine such as Volyn, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, and Ternopil. Major cities like Kyiv and Odesa were also struck, resulting in five reported deaths and 30 injuries.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have hit storage facilities housing aviation weapons provided to Ukraine by Western allies. Zelenskyy reiterated the need for air defense systems like F-16s and Patriot batteries to protect Ukrainian airspace.
Last month, Zelenskyy requested more F-16s and Patriot battery systems to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities. Several countries, including the U.S., the Netherlands, Germany, Romania, and Italy, have pledged to send additional Patriot and SAMP-T systems to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of international support in countering Russian aggression, stating that a unified effort is crucial to protecting Ukrainian citizens and deterring further attacks. He urged allied nations to lift long-range strike bans to prevent the need for physical intervention in Russian territories.
The situation remains tense as Zelenskyy continues to call for decisive action from the international community to halt Russian aggression and prevent further escalation of the conflict.
